Miniature bowling game



Oct. 29, 1940. R w DE WNNEY 2,219,835

' MINIATURE BOWLING GAME I Filed May 3, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ji I &

Oct. 29, 1940. F, D N Y 2,219,835

MINIATURE BOWLING GAME Filed May 3, 1940 3 Sheets-Shget 2 Oct. 29, 1940.

F. w. DE VI NNEY I 2,219,835

MINIATURE BOWLING GAME Filed ma 5, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet s f/gdWkVzhwg m @mz Patented Oct. 29, 1940 UNITED STATESv AENT OFFICE.

Claims.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in games, and more particularly to a miniature bowling game.

r One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a game comprising a small table in the form of a miniature bowling alley, the pins, however, to be knocked down by a ball projected by a spring-actuated manikin.

A further object of the invention is to provide a game simulating ten pins but where a small manikin is put under spring tension and then released so that the arm of the manikin can project the ball down the alley to-strike the pins.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a small bowling game wherein the ball is first set on the runway of the alley and will drop by gravity to a turntable; and when the turntable is in certain position, the ball will seek a spot on the turntable which will be directly in front of the small manikin. Then, when the latter is retracted and suddenly released, it will accurately project the ball down the alley.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a miniature bowling game wherein the turntable, on which the ball is held in front of the manikin, will have to be turned between every shot, so that it is not possible for the player to get the proper aim and then leave the projecting mechanism in the same spot so that the previous shot is duplicated. In other words, it is necessary to aim the'manikin which projects the ball at each shot.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a miniature bowling alley comprising one stand or table but having two separate alleys 'adjacent each other and extending in the opposite direction so thatone player can sit at one end of the alley and one at the-other and play the game without the players in any way bodily interfering with each other.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a game which will afford amusement t0 the players and wherein the score will be dependent on the skill of the player.

45 Still another object of the invention is to provide a game, as above described, which is exceedingly simple in construction and may be manufactured and assembled at a relatively low cost.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain new and novel features and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully explained and pointed outin the claims.

Referring now to the drawings showing preferred and modified forms,

Fig. l. is a top plan view of my new and improved miniature bowling game;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan View thereof;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing the manner in which the manikin is operated topropel the ball;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan View showing how the turntablehasto be aligned so that the ball may roll into position on the turntable before being projected; 7 to Fig. 5 is an 'enlargedsectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 3;

' Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the manikin in its forward position;

Fig. 7 is also a fragmentary sectional View showing the manikin in its position ready to propel the ball;

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view showing the manikin and the ball positioned to be propelled;

Fig. 9 is'a fragmentary perspective View showing the alley, manikin,'and a portion of the turntable;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary detail showing the eccentric cam or roller for elevating the studs for spotting the pins; 25"

' Fig. ll is a detail showing how the arm of the manikin is arranged so that it may swing upwardly'to pass over the ball and, then-be normally helddown behind the ball to project the 1 same; and i Fig. 12 is a top plan view of amodified form showing the two alleys made in the one stand and oppositely arranged;

Referring now to the drawings and for the moment to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, there is shown the miniature bowling alley, which consists of the rectangular frame 1 supported by the removable legs 2, which legs are adaptedto fit within split sockets 3 at the four corners of the frame and the sockets then tightened by bolts and wing nuts 4 to hold the legs tightly in position.

Fitted within the frame is the alley surface 5, and it will be understood that this may be a laminated board, which is well sanded and then shellacked to provide a smooth surface on which the balls. are shot. At each side of the alley surface are the spillways 6 to simulate a regular bowling alley. I At one end of the alley proper 5 there is pro- Vided on the under surface a plate I, in which are the projecting studs 8, which are arranged in triangular formation, which studs are adapted to. pass through the small openings 9 in the alley proper, as it is on these studs that the pins I0 are to be placed or spotted. I 55 Fastened beneath the plate, as may be seen in Fig. 2, there is the eccentric roller H with its two trunnions l2, one of which fits in the socket l3, while the other of which projects through the end board of the game and has the attached handle l4. Thus, when the pins are to be set up in the alley, the handle M will be arranged vertically, so that the plate I will rise and the studs 8 project through the pin holes 9, after which the pins I0 may be placed on these studs, as the bottom of each pin is bored centrally, as at 5.

Small springs l6 may be interposed between the plate 1 and the under surface of the alley so that normally the studs will be in their lowermost position and not interfere with the pins being knocked over when hit by the small ball, to be hereinafter mentioned.

Just beyond the end of the alley is the usual well IT, in which the pins are to be knocked when struck by the projectile, which, in this instance, of course, is a small ball, preferably of metal. In the end frame adjacent the well may be seen the slot I8, through which extends the operating rod l9, while on the end of the rod may be seen the little handle 20.

It will be noticed that the handle or lever l4 on the roller projects downwardly in front of the slot l8, as may be seen in Fig. 5, so that whenthis operating rod I9 is swung to the left or right to aim'the ball, it will contact with the handle to revolve the roller and permit the springs to force the plate I downwardly and there is no chance that the studs will be sticking up beyond the alley surface when the shot is to be made. Glancing at the other end of the alley, there may be seen the turntable 2|, which is undercut on its periphery, as at 22 (Fig. 3), and thus be supported in a receptive cut-out portion formed in the alley. Secured to the under surface of the turntable 2| is the box-like casing 23, which may be secured by the screws 24. It will be noticed that this box-like casing extends past the circumference of the turntable on its opposite sides and contacts with the under surface of the alley so that the turntable will not jar upwardly out of place. Of course, it cannot be pushed downwardly on account of its aforementioned grooved periphery 22.

Fitted within the box-like casing 23 is a slide 25, to which is secured the metal upright 26,

on which is securely mounted the manikin 21.

In Fig. 6 may be seen the slide and the small buffer spring 28, while resting against the outer face of the box-like casing 23 and encircling the rod l9 and held against the collar l9 may be seen the actuating spring 29. The turntable 2|, of course, has a diametrically extending slot 30, in which the upright 26 extends, and the manikin on the post or upright 26 will be slightly spaced from the top of the alley, as may be seen from the several views.

Thus, when the rod I9 is'forced inwardly, the spring 29 will be compressed and the slide with its manikin will be forced to near the far edge of the turntable, as may be seen in'Fig. '7.

Slightly to one side of the manikin, there may be seen on the turntable in Fig. 1 a track 3|, which extends clearly across the table and is enlarged slightly, as at 32, so that the ball 33 (Fig. 7) may rest within this enlargement before being shot or projected along the remainder of the track on the turntable v(which acts as a guide v for the ball) and down the alley to strike the pins.

Also mounted near the rear edge of the turn- I later.

Looking again at Figs. 1 and 3 for the moment, it will be seen that the frame is built up at its two sides opposite the pins, as at 35, and extending on the inner side of the frame from an elevated point 36 extends the raceway 31. The inclination from the elevated point 36 to the raceway 3'! will give the momentum to the ball when placed on the raceway so that it will travel down the raceway to the far end, as at 38, where it curves, then extends slightly upwardly, as at 39 (Fig. 7), and terminates flush with the top of a short piece of track or raceway 40, which track extends longitudinally of the alley and down to the turntable.

Thus, when the turntable is in the position as shown in Fig. 4, the ball may run down the raceway until it drops on the straight piece of track 40 and will then run onto the now-registering track 3| of the turntable and come to rest in the enlarged'portion 32. However, should the turntable be in the position as shown in Fig. 1, it will be seen that the ball on the track 40 would now be prevented from moving until the turntable is slightly revolved and the stop 34 removed from in front of the track 40 and the tracks again registering.

Therefore, to get the ball on the turntable, the turntable must be in the position, as shown in Fig. 4. Inasmuch as the track is at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the alley, any ball shot from this position would not strike the pins but be shot over into the spillway. Therefore, it is necessary, after the ball is positioned on the turntable, to move the rod |9 to the right to accurately aim at the pins. It will be seen thatafter each shot, as will be shortly mentioned, it is necessary to revolve the turntable from the previously-aimed position to again admit the ball to its resting place on the tumtable.

Now referring to the manikin 21, it is fanciful and is mounted in a prone position on the upright-26; It is provided with an arm 4|, which is preferably made of metal and tapered, as at 42, which arm extends up into the wooden body 43 andout the other side, as at 44. There may be a spring 45 in the body 43 to normally hold the arm 4| in its vertical position, as shown in Fig. 7. Slightly to the rear of the arm 4| is the stop 46, so that the arm is' never free to swing rearwardly past the vertical, although it may swing forwardly and upwardly.

The purpose of having this arm hung in this manner is so that after the ball positions itself on the turntable in the enlargement 32 of the track 3|, the actuating rod l9 may be pushed inwardly to push the manikin toward the rear of the turntable and the arm 4| swing upwardly over the ball and then drop down behind it,.

as will be readily understood.

Of course, to play the game, the handle M will be turned so that the studs will project up through the alley surface and the pins placed in position. Presuming that the rod I9 is over to the right, as shown in Fig. 1, the ball may 'be placed on the runway and the rod moved to the left, which will strike the lever I4, so that the studs will then be lowered and the turntable will turn from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the receptive position shown in Fig. 4.

This orienting of the turntable will now permit the ball to run down partly across the turnable and position itself in the enlarged portion 32 of the track. The rod l9 will then be 'forced inwardly until the arm of the manikin swings overthe ball will be quickly removed from the handle 20 and the spring 29 will force the slide and the manikin rapidly forwardly and the arm of the manikin will strike or propel the ball down the alley to knock down all the pins if the aiming be accurate.

Strikes and spares will be counted in the same manner that they are counted in the regular bowling game.

In Fig. 12, there isshown a slight'modification in that the framework 50encloses or. encomprasses two alleys i and 52, which are oppositely arranged, that is, end to'end. Necessarily, one alley is not very wide'in a game of this kind, but by arranging two of them end for end, one player can sit at one end of the alley and another player at the opposite end of the alley and in this way not interfere with each other.

Although in Fig. 12 I have shown both manikins in non-aimed position, it will be understood that the turntables, manikins, and their mechanisms are in no way connected. However, the parts are all duplicated and the frame is widened to allow for the two separate alleys.

This form is also desirable in that if the ball in any instance should run off the track or raceway near the turntable, the player seated near the turntable may put it back on the track.

From the foregong, it will be seen that I have provided a game at which one person can play or two people can play at one and the same time and wherein the more skillful player will generally have the higher score.

Again, it will be seen that each shot calls for a re-aiming of the turntable on which the short piece of track is mounted, which holds the balls, so that there is no possibility of leaving the turntable in the one accurately aimed position and keep firing from this position.

It will also be seen that the game is one which may be cheaply manufactured and readily assembled.

Many minor changes might be made without in any way departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A miniature bowling game comprising an alley, a turntable at one end of the alley, a manikin mounted thereon, a slide in said turntable, said manikin having an arm that may swing upwardly to pass over a ball on the turntable when the slide is forced rearwardly and will drop into position behind the ball when in its rearmost position, and spring means for forcing the slide and manikin forwardly to thereby project the ball down said alley.

2. A miniature bowling game comprising an alley, a turntable at one end of the alley, a slide in said turntable, a manikin mounted on said slide, said manikin having an arm which may swing upwardly to pass over a ball on the turntable and then drop behind the ball, means for forcing the slide and manikin forwardly to therebyproject the ball'down said alley, and-means for orienting the turntable to thereby aim the manikin for the accurate projection of the ball dow'nthealley.

'3.'-'A bowling game comprising a miniature alley, a turntable at one end of the alley, a slide in said turntable, a manikin mounted on said slide, a track extending across the turntable to hold and act as a guide for the ball when the same is propelled, said manikin having an arm which may swing upwardly to pass over the ball on the turntable and then drop behind the ball when said manikin is moved rearwardly of the ball, spring means for rapidly forcing the slide and manikin forwardly whereby the arm of the manikin will. project the ball down said alley, and means for orienting the turntable with its track and ball to thereby aim the manikin for the accurate projection of the said ball down the alley. 4; A bowling game including a miniature alley, a turntable at one'end of the alley, a slide in said turntable, a manikin mounted on said slide, said manikin having an arm which may swing only upwardly to pass over a ball on the turntable and then drop down behind the ball when said manikin is moved rearwardly of the ball, means connected with the slide for forcing the manikin rearwardly and to also orient said table, and spring means for forcing the slide and manikin rapidly forwardly to thus project the ball down the alley.

5. A miniature bowling game comprising an alley and gutters, a turntable mounted at one end of the alley, said turntable provided with a track for receiving and guiding a ball when propelled from said turntable, a main return track extending the length of the alley and adapted to register with the track on said turntable when the turntable is aimed at 'a gutter, and means for partially revolving the turntable to a desired aimed position and for forcing the ball from said track down said alley.

6. A miniature bowling game comprising an alley and gutters, a turntable at one end of the alley, a track for receiving and guiding a ball from said turntable when propelled therefrom, a track leading from the far end of the alley to the turntable and registering with the track on the turntable when the turntable is aimed at a gutter, and a stop on the turntable for preventing the ball from rolling onto the track on the turntable unless the track on the turntable be properly aligned withrespect to the said aforementioned track.

'7. A miniature bowling game comprising an alley and gutters, a turntable at one end of the alley, means for properly positioning pins at the other end of the alley, means on the turntable for receiving and aiming a ball, means for leading the ball to and on the turntable when said turntable is aimed at a gutter, means for propelling the ball from the turntable, and means for orienting said turntable.

8. In a miniature bowling game, an alley and gutters, a turntable at the remote end of said alley, said turntable provided with a track, the said track having centrally thereof an enlarged portion to hold a ball and the track forward of the enlarged portion acting as a guide when the ball is struck from said turntable, means for striking and propelling the ball from the turntable toward said pins, a raceway for returning track on the turntable registers with said raceway, a stop on the turntable for holding the ball in the raceway until the track on the turntable is in alignment'with said raceway, and the track on the raceway extending at an angle to the horizontal axis of the alley and aimed at a gutter when registering with the raceway whereby the turntable has to be partially rotated when the track is to be accurately aimed at the pins at the far end of the alley.

9. In a miniature bowling game, an alley and gutters, a plate located at one end of the alley and beneath the surface thereof, studs on said plate, an eccentric roller beneath said plate for raising the same and slightly projecting the studs above said alley surface on which studs the pins are'to be spotted, a lever for operating said roller, a turntable at the opposite end of the alley to receive a ball when the turntable is aimed at a gutter, a rod extending from said turntable, said rod adapted to be moved to the left and right to orient said turntable and contact said lever in passing to thus lower the stud plate so that when the ball is propelled down the" alley the studs will be lowered beneath the surface of the alley.

10. In a miniature bowling game, an alley, a plate located at one end of the alley and beneath the surface thereof, studs on said plate, an eccentric roller beneath said plate for raising the same and slightly projecting'the studs above said alley surface, the studs providing exact locations for the pins, a lever for operating said roller, a turntable at the opposite end of the alley to receive a ball when the turntable is in an unaimed position, a rod extending from said turntable, said rod adapted to be moved to the left and right to orient said turntable, said aforementioned lever located in the path of movement of said rod whereby the said lever will be operated when the turntable is aimed so that when the ball is propelled down the alley the studs will be beneath the surface of the alley, a slide on said turntable, a manikin mounted on said slide, the said rod also connected to said slide, and a spring on said rod connected with'said slide whereby when said rod is pushed inwardly and suddenly released the manikin will propel the ball from the turntable down the alley.

FLOYD W. DE VINNEY. 

